Berita

BANDUNG. After increasing the status of Mt. Lamongan, Klakah SubDistrict, Lumajang District, East Java to Advisory, The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) increased the status of Mt. Ijen in Banyuwangi District, East Java Province from Advisory (Level II) to Watch (Level III). The status is effective since February 8th, 2012.

“Based on visual and instrumental observation, Mt. Ijen shows increased activity, so commencing on March 12th 2012 at 00:00 WIB (West Indonesia Standard Time), the activity status of Mt. Ijen increased from Advisory (Level II) to Watch (Level III),” says the Head of PVMBG, Surono.

Related to the increase, PVMBG observes intensively to evaluate the activity of Mt. Ijen and coordinates with local Regional Agency for Disaster Mitigation (BPBD).

Mt. Ijen is an active volcano having Crater Lake in the peak, each in 800 m length and 700 m width and 180 m depth. Geographically, Mt. Ijen is in the position 8º 03’ 30” SouthLat. and 114º 14’ 30” WestLong. and in 2386 m height above the sea level. Administratively is located in two districts; Bondowoso and Banyuwangi, East Java Province. The eruption of Mt. Ijen was recorded in form of freatic explosion coming from the Crater Lake. The last freatic eruption happened in 1993 producing black smoke column reach about 1000 m height.

“Citizens surrounding Mt. Ijen and visitors/tourism/hikers/miners not to get close the crater in the peak of Mt. Ijen within the radius 1, 5 km from the active crater,” says Surono.

“Citizens live surrounding Mt. Ijen and Disaster-Prone Areas I have to follow the instruction of local BPBD and could follow the progress of Mt. Ijen from Observation Post in Tamansari Village, Licin Sub-District. Citizens live along Banyuputih River disgorge in Ijen Lake Crater are asked to be alert to the possibility of Ijen Lake Crater overflow if explosion happens,” he says. (AK)